Analysis: Soler For Canning
The Atlanta Braves traded Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning.
The Atlanta Braves wasted no time modifying the roster that carried them to elimination at the hands of the San Diego Padres, by offloading outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels for right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning.
One of Atlanta’s biggest questions heading into this offseason was how they would navigate an overcrowded designated hitter corps. While Jorge Soler played outfield for the majority of his cumulative time as an Atlanta Brave, his defense since his most recent Atlanta acquisition from the Giants was subpar at best. If Marcell Ozuna wasn’t the worst defensive outfielder in the history of the Braves organization (exaggeration), Soler would’ve ended his 2024 primarily DHing. In fact, I think the Braves were surprised by how bad Soler was defensively in the latter half of 2024. I don’t blame the Braves in the slightest for bringing him in instead of punting on an injury-riddled season. The litany of injuries coupled with the expanded postseason format left the Braves with a smaller-than-ideal group of available outfielders at last season’s trade deadline.
Soler’s initial arrival in Atlanta during the 2021 season/postseason was marked by only success, immediately following a lackluster half-season in Kansas City. His explosion throughout the World Series run suggested a change of scenery was just the remedy he needed, positing that a similar change this past season could yield similar results. Offensively, that proved true. He was one of the better bats in Atlanta’s lineup. But his defense made him unplayable in 2025 with a healthier Braves roster. His defense was so bad, he logged negatives in Range (Outs Above Average) and Arm Value; coming in at -7 & -1. As a right fielder for the Braves in 2024, the role that he would have most likely been slotted for in anticipation for Acuna’s return, was -6 OAA; as opposed to his -1 in left field. In comparison, he logged a -1 OAA as a right fielder in 2021 for the Braves.